Experiences on the Estate

You can enhance your holiday by taking part in a special experience on Cabalva Estate. If you’d like to know more about any of these experiences please email us.

Pottery classes with Cabalva Ceramics

Owner and potter Corisande Albert converted a potting shed in the kitchen garden into a beautiful ceramics studio overlooking the Black Mountains and Hay-on-Wye. With pottery teachers including Lucy Baxendale, Nancy Frost and Simon Hulbert, Corisande can create a bespoke and fun pottery activity during your stay with us. From beginner’s introduction to clay to family sessions and throwing workshops for experienced potters and private lessons .

Fishing

We are lucky to farm along nearly two miles of one of the prime stretches of the River Wye. Cabalva is unique in that it has avoided the angling pressure which has caused many Wye fisheries to deteriorate over time. We are blessed with multiple pools that are home for many species, whether it be an atlantic salmon resting up before continuing its journey upstream, or the shoals of chub and barbel that find comfort in oxygenated water of the pools. 

Exclusive private fishing can be arranged for you including guided fishing with manager, Dave Roberts www.anglingescapades.com

Rod fee £25 -£35 per day. The rental price of Mill Cottage includes a rod fee for fishing downstream of the cottage.

Guided Fishing £125 per half day, £250 per full day

COPPIcing

We are re-starting the ancient art of coppicing at Cabalva.  This is a traditional way of managing woodland which provides maximum benefit for wildlife as well as supporting local craft and fencing products. This experience will be a great introduction to this fascinating art and is run by Tommy - a local coppicer.

Kitchen Gardening workshops 

We’re delighted to be able to offer these workshops in our restored Victorian Kitchen Garden next to Cabalva House.  With no-dig, organic gardener Katie Hardy, learn how to get the best from your seedlings and plants using traditional organic methods, companion planting and natural pest control.  Every season brings different projects and you will join Katie, sample our fruit and vegetable produce and take home a young plant to grow on in your own garden or window sill.

2 hours £50 per person

Regenerative Farming tour 

Cabalva Farm is on a journey to be a species rich diverse landscape where our grass-fed Aberdeen Angus and sheep live in harmony with nature.  We believe there is a way to farm that is sustainable for the farmer and for the environment.  We don’t have all the answers but with Geraint Powell, Nuffield Scholar, at the helm as our farm manager we are proud to be part of the regenerative farming movement. 

In the two-hour tour you will meet the animals, learn about regenerative farming practises, and meet Geraint Powell.

All these experiences need to be arranged in advance of your stay with us and are subject to availability.  Please contact us sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment!

More activities further afield

Dining Out

Here is are just a few of the great places to eat out when in the area.

• The Cider Barn in Pembridge is a lovely, family friendly pub with a garden and local ales.

• Tomatitos, is a new tapas bar and restaurant in Hay-on-Wye 

• Shepherds Ice cream parlour is a coffee house and ice cream parlour in Hay. The ice-creams are all made from local sheep’s milk.